We just got our first snow this week, a few inches of pretty, fluffy snow. Living in eastern Pennsylvania, we can usually expect a few measurable snowfalls each winter, nothing too serious. But there's always the chance of something more exciting happening when there's snow, such as the winter both my brother and I had broken bones, or the time I nearly got trampled by a horse on a snowy back road on my way to church. My brother had the first broken bone. After school one day, he and the … [Read more...] about Snow Stories— Two Broken Bones, a Close Call with a Horse, and a Tulip Snow
Welcoming 2020
"Put your New Year's resolutions in the jar," says Melissa, one of the evening's three party coordinators. "Then, we'll read them aloud, and guess who made each resolution." The room is full— I count twenty-seven people sitting on chairs in the basement. We're celebrating the arrival of a new decade with a big New Year's Eve party and the appropriate festivities— food, games, music, and loud noise at midnight. Three of my friends, Melissa, Regina, and Ada had decided to plan the party for … [Read more...] about Welcoming 2020
Layover of the Seasons
Right now is the layover of the seasons— between Christmas and New Year's. Nourished with clementines and chocolate candy, we're waiting on the fresh, clean start of a new year— actually a new decade this time. Like a layover at some distant airport, it's all a bit strange. Christmas was on Wednesday this year, which especially throws everything off. The festivities began for me this past Sunday with a Christmas breakfast and a special service at church. On Sunday they'll crescendo with all … [Read more...] about Layover of the Seasons
Christmas Caroling in Washington, D.C.
"We're looking for individuals willing to make a joyful noise " reads the email written by a pastor in Baltimore. "...Here are a few more details and a list of songs for our 10th annual Washington Mennonite Chorus on December 15th." Wonder if we're going to sing the song that goes "There is no peace on earth ...For hate is strong and mocks the song, Of peace on earth, good will to men". But the line about anyone "willing to make a joyful noise" is enough for me, and so Sunday evening, … [Read more...] about Christmas Caroling in Washington, D.C.
Baking with Bonnet Novelists
The Facebook post read: Come Bake With Us! Author Chat with Sherry Gore. Ladies Luncheon, Holiday Baking. Door Prizes! Limited Seating. Tickets $45. "It's on a Saturday! Let's go!" I say to Mom. "It'll be a fun thing to do together." Both of us like Sherry's cookbook, Me, Myself, and Pie and her memoir, The Plain Choice. We knew Sherry recently moved to Bird-in-Hand, which is close to us. So we signed up and last Saturday, we drove to the Bird-in-Hand fire hall, where the event was being … [Read more...] about Baking with Bonnet Novelists